10 Tech Tricks, Part 1

As someone who has been around the tech block a few times, I have discovered that even the most common devices we use every day have hidden talents. Whether you are a tech novice or just looking to squeeze more out of your gadgets, here are 10 random tricks that might surprise you.

Let us start with that pocket-sized powerhouse you carry everywhere. An interesting fact is that your smartphone has more computing power than the original space shuttle, which used only 1 MB of RAM in 1981. By comparison, an iPhone 4s had 512 MB of RAM in 2010.

First, did you know your smartphone can double as a document scanner? Next time you need to digitize a receipt or important paper, say farewell to that clunky old scanner. On an iPhone, open the Notes app, tap the camera icon, and select “Scan Document“. For Android users, particularly those with Samsung Galaxy phones, open the Camera app and look for the “T” button when you point it at a document. Take a picture and you are done. It is like having a mini office in your pocket!

No. 2 is for you to think back and remember those scientific calculators you may have carried around in school? (OK, when I was in school it was a pencil and paper.) Well, they are now obsolete, thanks to your smartphone. Simply open your Calculator app and rotate your phone sideways. Voilà! You have a scientific calculator at your fingertips, complete with square roots, sines, and all those fancy functions, that you never use in real life. It is perfect for helping the grandkids with their homework or settling debates about the tip at dinner.

The third tip I have for you is that you can take precise screenshots without capturing your entire screen. With a Windows computer, you could press and hold the “PrtScn” key for a second or two and then paste the screenshot in to any document. However, today users can type “Snipping Tool” in the Start menu search bar for a similar feature, but with far greater control. It is great for sharing just the important bits without revealing your entire desktop. If you do not find it when you type it into your menu, you can easily install it by clicking the link that it shows. By-the-way, Microsoft was going to do away with it and replace it, but has now decided to just keep the name and improve the tool. So, the Snipping Tool remains. You can also take screenshots with your smartphones too. Check your instructions to see how, or just go to YouTube (an extra tip, use YouTube to learn most anything).

Announcing number four! Do you continue to do presentations for your job or volunteer organization? For those of us who still give presentations (or help our kids/grandkids with theirs), here is a cool PowerPoint trick. Did you know you can use your mouse as a laser pointer? Just hold down Ctrl and left-click during your presentation. It is a great way to draw attention to specific points without fumbling with an actual laser pointer. I just learned this one recently. and quite accidentally, it is very useful!

Fifth on my list is to remind everyone that smart home devices are not just for tech aficionados (geeks) any longer. Simple gadgets like smart plugs can let you control lights and appliances from your phone or voice controlled by your Google, Amazon, or Apple devices. Imagine being able to turn on the coffee maker before you even get out of bed, or make sure you turned off the iron after you have left the house. In our case, we can start the vacuum while on vacation and have a clean house when we return. How about changing your home’s temperature when you are away. When you are on the way back, you can tell it to make it the temperature that is comfortable for you. We replaced our HVAC system several months ago, and it comes with a thermostat that, using our smartphones, knows when we are within three miles of home. It then gets the temperature to our preselected choice right before we arrive.  Not to mention, control your security cameras also from almost anywhere, anytime. The convenience and peace of mind rolled into one.

The last five will be here next week!